Staying as a certified scuba diver until I get confident or upgrading asap?

[Kathg]

Hi Everyone - I have just recently gotten my certificate as a 'certified scuba diver' after finding some of the skills nerve wrecking and doing a bit of bolting from the bottom.... I have the option of upgrading to OWD but I kind of feel safe with the restrictions this qualification places on me... 12 metres, dive with a professional etc. I just know I'll balk if my mask or reg gets accidentally dislodged .... My question is - if I don't upgrade soon, am I likely to get 'stuck' at this level or am I better to hang where I feel safest? I am likely to mostly dive while on yearly holidays overseas - our next trip is in July (to Maldives) . Most of the dives will be from a boat and I will be the only one who HAS to have a guide the whole time.... I feel a bit of a dork for that but also feel really safe.....

 

[northernone]

Dive often as you can before your big trip. Practice is needed to solidify your skills and build confidence. Please keep in mind further instruction can make you a better diver and safer as well. If you decide you want to hire a private guide on your trip, it doesn't matter what certification reads. Set your own more conservative limits.

Enjoy,
Cameron

 

[DivealotZA]

Hi Kathg,

We find that most people that complete the Scuba Diver course are already more than halfway up the mountain, you just need a little more time and encouragement to make it to the summit. I would suggest you chat to your instructor/find an instructor who has some more time and just hop in the pool with them, swim around and practice a few skills until you're comfortable with them.

The most important part is that you go at your pace. We've had several people that just need some one-on-one instructing to feel more comfortable and gain confidence in themselves...

Ofcourse if after a few pool sessions if you're still not comfortable, then you just continue as a Scuba diver...nothing lost nothing gained

 

[Flycaster]

The more you dive the better it will get.
Just get back on that horse and do it.
Good luck.

 

[billt4sf]

Your feelings are not way out of the norm for this stage. Always dive within your comfort zone!

At the same time, you do need to increase your capability and skill set so that you can be comfortable on your own with a buddy. I know you "feel safe" with a guide nearby, but in the long run, no guide can keep you safe. it takes time, meaning more and more dives, especially repetitive days in a row, to get to that comfort zone.

It may also help you to do some practice dives in a 10-foot pool. I learned A LOT from doing pool work.

Also getting a great instructor and doing one-on-one work in a pool is a wonderful thing. I suggest you do increase your comfort level before your "big trip". After all, why spend all that money to do something you're not comfortable with?

- Bill

 

[Kathg]

Yes - think we are doing 6 dives in July. I've never done any skills at all in a pool. All I have done was in the ocean. It could make a difference.....

 

[taimen]

Scuba diver certificate is usually given after a very short course or when owd student fails some skills and there is no time for one on one teaching to remedy their problems.
I think a private session with a good instructor in a pool and an ow dive right after that is what you need.
I would work on "upgrading" up to AOWD level asap, as this is the most convenient way to get time with instructors and work on your skills.

 

[billt4sf]

Yes - think we are doing 6 dives in July. I've never done any skills at all in a pool. All I have done was in the ocean. It could make a difference.....

Oh yeah. It sure did for me. But I had an EXCELLENT instructor, you might want to look around a bit.

6 dives is not really a lot. It probably feels like a lot to you...

- Bill

 

[Kathg]

My instructor was amazing but I did need more time and was thrilled to get as far as I did. I do think doing some pool work would be good and will be much easier than doing the skills in the sea!

 

[jlcnuke]

I'd just like to point out that just because an OW or AOW diver doesn't HAVE to have a guide/instructor/professional, doesn't mean they CAN'T have one. Some boat dives have a guide go with everyone diving anyway (the outfit I dove with in Aruba was that way, 1 DM dove with each group of 3-4 people off the boat though I'm sure anyone who wanted to "do their own thing" with their buddy only probably would have been allowed to).